Legal North Korean Visitor Numbers Rise

Jeong Dae Sung, intern |
2013-01-18 19:03

The number of North Koreans visiting China legally reached a record high of 180,600 in 2012, an 18% increase over the 2011 figure of 152,300.

Radio Free Asia released the news today, citing Chinese statistics. According to the report, the most common reason for the visits was ¡®employment¡¯ (79,600, 44%) followed by ¡®business¡¯ (55,200, 31%).

The number visiting China for ¡®business¡¯ increased by roughly 10,900 over the 2011 figure, while the number of those visiting for ¡®employment¡¯ increased by 4,300.

According to RFA, ¡°This is because of the greater number of exchanges and joint ventures going on between North Korea and China in the economic sector.¡±

Speaking with RFA, John Park of MIT added, ¡°The situation is like North Korea riding toward economic development on China¡¯s back. There is the possibility that even more North Korean workers could be dispatched to become a major source of funding for Kim Jong Eun.¡±

Elsewhere in the statistics, 4,500 (2.5%) North Koreans also visited China last year for purposes of tourism and leisure, and 200 (0.1%) went to visit friends and relatives.

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